Sees Possible Cue for ‘zionist’ Allegations in ‘izvestia’ Article

East German and Polish newspapers that alleged this week that “Zionist” forces “threatened” Czechoslovakia’s Socialist regime may have taken their cue from the Soviet Government newspaper Izvestia, a diplomat specializing in Eastern European affairs said here today. The Aug. 23 Issue of Izvestia contained an article from Prague entitled “How the Counter-Revolutionary Underground Was Being Created in Czechoslovakia” which said Joint Distribution Committee agents were part of a “Club of Non-Party Activists.”

The article, written by V. Rudniev and subtitled “Who Is Hiding Under the Nameplates of Various Political Clubs,” said there were two counter-revolutionary clubs active in the Czech capital city. One he claimed, was the “Club of 231” which allegedly had links with the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), British Intelligence and Nazi generals. The other was the”Club of Non-Party Activists”which the writer singled out as allegedly having three leaders who are members of the “International Zionist Organization – Joint” (abbreviation for Joint Distribution Committee).”

“When the hard-liners in Warsaw and East Berlin saw this they immediately took up the line. Like dogs, one barks and they all bark,” the diplomat here said.